Related: IDC's 2023 outlook: Process mining evolves to business value engineering
Gartner also indicated that automation "will reshape transaction processing functions such as procure to pay (P2P) and order to cash (O2C)." At Celosphere 2022, Celonis customers also highlighted use cases for Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and Procurement as well.
With the goal of autonomous finance a priority, it's no surprise that CFOs are increasing spending on corporate IT. A Gartner survey of nearly 300 CFOs found two thirds of CFOs plan to increase corporate IT budgets.
Many CFOs are looking to process improvements to control what they can amid uncertainty. 3M's Monish Patolawala, Chief Financial & Transformation Officer, said on the company's fourth quarter earnings conference call:
"We will remain nimble and take appropriate actions as we respond to changing market dynamics. And we will continue to invest in growth, productivity and sustainability to ensure the long-term success of our enterprise. At the end of the day, we don't control the markets, but what we definitely control is our own actions."
Recent earnings conference calls across industries including consumer product goods, retail, manufacturing and banking have highlighted plans to remain nimble for 2023 amid economic uncertainty. The Conference Board's first quarter survey found that 93% of CEOs still report for a US recession over the next 12 to 18 months, but are still funding strategic transformation efforts.
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon summed up what many leaders are saying about continual improvement.
"We're driving a lot of change inside our company. We know where to tap the brakes on cost and inventory, but our focus is more on the gas pedal with respect to our strategic improvements related to assortment growth and our customer member experience. We'll keep shaping the business model by scaling our newer mutually reinforcing businesses in areas like marketplace, fulfillment services and advertising."